8th Grade Independent Research Project ~ World ReportChange in Global RegionsUnited States History ~ 2017-2018Mr. Hall
mhall@buckleycountryday.com

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During the fourth quarter, students in the eighth grade will spend one week learning how to analyze news documents and prepare a five-minute "PechaKucha" talk for the class. They will choose a current event topic of their choice from a world region. Students will develop a targeted thesis statement that addresses the theme of change in their region. They will also learn how to work independently, utilize technology resources, and prepare an oral talk with 20 visual images.

Responsibilities

1. Choose an important current event topic from the global region you are assigned to research
2. Using the news links, research and compile news information as it relates to the theme of “change”
3. Present original research in a PechaKucha 20x15 oral report (20 images, on screen for 15 seconds each)
4. Follow your own homework schedule using the calendar on the wiki page to complete the project thoroughly and on time
5. Document all sources of news articles and Internet images in a responsible and thorough manner (you might use Citation Machine, EasyBib, or other online tools)

Proficiency Areas

• To develop a depth of knowledge and an interest in a topic about a particular region
• To use primary, modern news sources and specific documentation to support a thesis statement
• To answer the following questions about the topic: What is it? Why is it important? What effect is it having on society? How does it represent the theme of “change”?

Requirements for Project

• Thesis Statement: A detailed summary of the topic, including the “so what” and the idea of “change,” in a statement that follows the thesis formula
• Research Journals: Thorough documentation of all notes and sources on Research Journals (to be turned in electronically with the works cited page for grading one week after the presentation)
• Number of sources: Minimum of 3 news articles from the Internet or traditional publications
• Homework: Self-scheduled by each student individually using the suggested calendar below
• PechaKucha Talk: A five-minute oral presentation to the class to teach about the world region and the current event topic -- featuring 20 images, on screen for 15 seconds each. The images should include: a title slide (not counted as one of the 20), a thesis statement, a map of the country and region, and many photos, charts, diagrams, cartoons, or pictures of important people, events, etc. Each of the images will appear in a timed sequence behind the speaker during the 5 minute talk. No text should be on the images, except for the thesis statement slide. The presenter will use no notes when speaking.
• Works Cited: A full and complete documentation of research and image sources according to the Buckley Style Guide (available below on this history wiki page), due at the end of the week after the oral report -- failure to turn in the Works Cited page will result in a loss of 20 points on the project rubric

Suggested Calendar

Global Regions

The following list is organized by region and student participation. Research your global region using the suggested news links below to find an interesting, engaging topic that addresses one of the many ideas of “change” in the world. If you have any questions, please ask Mr. Hall for help. The important consideration is choosing a topic that genuinely appeals to you, so you can sustain your interest during your research and reporting.


During your project, you can use Twitter to search for information and share ideas between each group. For example, you can tweet information or links to articles and images that might be helpful to other students researching your region. Classmates can also check in to help out with your investigation. Mr. Hall will also try to share articles, links, facts, and visuals to aid in your report.

Suggestions of “changes”… Change in government Change in technology Change in war or conflict Change in business Change in culture Change in finance Change in climate Change in science Change in society … and other changes

Suggestions of news links… BBC World CNN World The Washington, D.C., Newseum The New York Times The Wall Street Journal NBC The Financial Times The Los Angeles Times The Washington Post Global Voices Onlinenewspapers.com Newspapermap.com … and other news sources

Grading

This project will count as a test grade. Please read over the rubric (downloadable on this history wiki page) to make sure that you understand the criteria. All work must be submitted on time. If you are not going to be in school on the day something is due, you must submit it the day before. Please proofread your work manually, as well as electronically. One important grading criteria will be your degree of understanding of the information you present.

Note-taking

Good note-taking is essential to any quality research project. Your notes are the foundation for building a well-composed report and crucial to preparing the narration for your oral talk. To prepare your visual presentation, you will refer to your notes and not the actual articles themselves. Be sure to paraphrase all information in your own words. Nothing should be copied from the Internet, either in writing or in narration, to avoid possible plagiarism. Every fact in your presentation must be recorded in your notes.

Works Cited

You will use Research Journals to document your notes and Image Records to catalogue your pictures. Copies of both can be found on this history wiki page. Each time you take notes from an article or use an image from the Internet, please be sure to record the source. These sources must be documented in a full and accurate works cited page, following the Buckley Style Guide (downloadable on this wiki page). Here is a sample news article format for a website:

Johnson, Karen. “Financial Business Collapse in Dubai Startles Investors.” 25 January 2011. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 January 2011. <http://www.bbc.com/world/dubai.html>.

✸ Your works cited page and your research journals of notes are due at the end of the week after your oral class presentation! The accurate and complete list of resources is worth 20 points on the grading rubric.